Doubling Sustainability of Concrete Foundation Piles Through Enlarged Bases and Screw-in Displacement Methods

This study explores the impact of pile geometry and installation methods on the carbon footprint of concrete cast-in-place piles, focusing on those installed using the screw-in displacement method with an enlarged base. Recently introduced, data-driven installation techniques ensure that these foundations can now be created in a seamless, efficient, and fully controlled process. Due to the significantly reduced material requirements for piles of the same nominal capacity, piles with extended bases are rapidly gaining interest from infrastructure developers, owners, environmentalists, engineers, and commercial managers. The research aims to quantify the environmental benefits of optimized piling techniques, particularly those with extended bases designed to maximize vertical bearing capacity, whether through compression or tension. Commercial projects have demonstrated that enlarging and preloading the pile base significantly reduces the carbon footprint of foundations. Additionally, the presented installation method offers benefits in reducing geotechnical risks. With in-line pile capacity testing during installation and immediate design verification, engineers can identify further opportunities for design optimization. The results presented in this paper show that strategic adjustments in pile design and installation practices can reduce material usage and CO2 emissions by half, while simultaneously lowering risks and installation time.